Dave Roberts said on September 15, 2026, that Roki Sasaki will be important to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but the team has not decided whether he will start or work in relief.
Roberts said the Dodgers must determine whether Sasaki will make one or two starts or transition to the bullpen before the postseason. “we got to huddle up here and figure out what's his role,” Roberts said. He added that Sasaki completed a 48-pitch session using Dermabond and came out of it well, saying the blister was playable with Dermabond even though it was not completely healed.
Roberts identified offense as the Dodgers' remaining concern, saying the team must capitalize on opportunities to put opponents away and reduce the need to use relievers in difficult spots. He praised the pitching and said the defense and baserunning have improved. Roberts also praised Brock Stewart's recent work.
Roberts stated that Edgardo Henriquez has a mild low-grade strain and said the positive results eased the impact of losing him. He added that Henriquez would have no throwing for approximately three to five days, while he likes the recent work of Evan Phillips. Roberts also said the Dodgers are one win away from clinching the NL West.
Roberts described the Dodgers as an older team, probably the oldest in the major leagues, while integrating younger players including Dalton Freeland and Jose. He noted that the team had previously used two pitchers in relief after limited regular-season preparation in Seattle. Roberts also said the Dodgers may now have a larger share of Los Angeles's sports attention, but he tries not to dwell on it and urges the players to stay in the moment.
Roberts said winning the NL West would be significant but “that's not the end goal.” He said the Dodgers can continue playing well to potentially earn more rest for veteran players and value a postseason week off, leaving Sasaki's role and the team's next decisions to be determined before the postseason.